Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul for negotiations on grain

The Bosphorus in Istanbul . Archival photoISTANBUL, July 13 The Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul, where they will discuss the grain issue with representatives of Turkey, Ukraine and the UN, a diplomatic source told RIA Novosti. He refused to disclose exactly where the meeting would take place.The source praised the chance for a consensus on the grain issue Journalists have been gathering on the central streets of the city since early morning, but they have been sternly warned that any filming is prohibited. The Ministry of Defense of Turkey promises to provide all the information. According to a diplomatic source for RIA Novosti, the hopes that the parties will be able to reach a consensus are quite high. The negotiations are expected to start at 14:00 Moscow time. The UN has repeatedly stated the threat of a food crisis due to a shortage of cereals, the West and the Kyiv authorities accused Russia of blockade of the Black Sea ports. Moscow categorically rejects this and points out that Kyiv itself has created many obstacles to exports: in addition to the revealed arson of grain in the Mariupol port, Ukrainian troops mined the Black Sea. Vladimir Putin, for his part, stressed that Russia does not prevent the export of grain and if Ukraine clears mines ports, ships with grain will be able to leave from there without any problems.